The play "I Have A Dream" will be performed on Tuesday, April 22, at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and is an educational experience chronicling King's historic significance. Though geared toward schools, the general public can purchase tickets and attend the performance.

In a recent interview we talked with Gordon Bass, the tour manager for Theatre IV, about the show, what inspired the performance and why the group feels it is so important to commemorate King in this way.

Q: What will the performance be like?

A: You will see an overview of King's life. It will actually start with his famous "I Have A Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, and will go back in time and talk about his life and his upbringing and bring you all the way back through that speech and you will hear an actual recorded excerpt of the speech that he made right before he was assassinated.

Q: Why is doing this performance important?

A: The generations growing up today, some of them have never heard of Dr. Martin Luther King or the struggle that African-Americans had and are still having. Oppression, segregation and discrimination are things that unfortunately will never go away, but if we can teach the youth that you've got to look deeper, look past the skin color and see the real person that's in there, it's a very important message.

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Q: Is this show more directed at students or is it something that everybody will enjoy?

A: This is something that everybody will enjoy. Because of the shear amount of information that is in it, it's geared for third grade and up.

Q: There is a Q & A after the show. What does this add to the experience?

A: It just brings it to a more personal level. If you're the lucky one that gets picked at a "question answer" (Q&A) and you're delving into something a little deeper, something that may have sparked interest in you as you are watching the show and if the actors call on you and you get a question answered, then it makes it a more personal experience.

Q: What was the inspiration for this show?

A: The story of Dr. Martin Luther King; he was a brilliant man, along the same lines as Gandhi. His story needs to be told in perpetuity. My boss, the artistic director Bruce Miller, wrote this show and he's extremely proud of it. We're all very proud that we're able to facilitate it, that the youth of America can see it.

Q: How long have you been involved with Theatre IV?

A: Thirty years. I was 15 years as an actor out touring the country. Then I've been with the company for 15 years as the tour manager.

Q: Why is it so important to commemorate Dr. King?

A: He was a brilliant man, a great man. He spoke for the people and the oppressed. He believed that everybody should be treated equally.